Chapter 101: Black Hand

Tap, tap, tap... Footsteps echoed outside the makeup room. Song Wan and Hua Yu instinctively turned to look, only to meet a pair of embarrassed and resentful eyes.

A derisive laugh escaped Hua Yu.

It was the host of the promotional event.

He now looked nothing like the confident, aggressive figure he had been on stage, relying on his position. Instead, his expression was flustered and awkward. Yet neither Hua Yu nor Song Wan felt any pity for him.

The host’s face grew more uncomfortable, but with his career possibly on the line, he forced himself to swallow his resentment and apologize.

He looked at Hua Yu, his gaze sincere. “Yu-jie, I’m truly sorry. I should not have asked questions on stage that weren’t in the script. Please forgive my rashness and ignorance.”

Hua Yu regarded the host with a half-smile, saying nothing even as he spoke.

Her silence unnerved him, making his scalp tingle. He could barely maintain his smile; his face stiffened, turning ugly. “…Yu-jie?”

Hua Yu found it tedious and shifted her gaze lightly. “You’re sorry to me? Am I the only one you owe an apology to?”

Her tone was calm, but the threat within it made the host’s heart tremble.

He had never realized how close Hua Yu and Song Wan were.

Annoyed, the host abandoned any thought of concealing the other’s identity. He knew he needed to apologize to Song Wan as Hua Yu demanded.

“Song Wan, I’m sorry. My actions tonight were inappropriate and made you uncomfortable—it’s my responsibility.” He forced a smile. “I’ve reserved a table at Mengxiang Residence nearby to make amends. I hope you can forgive my mistakes tonight.”

Song Wan frowned, then shook her head. “Dinner isn’t necessary. Just tell me who instructed you to target me.”

Though she’d gained popularity, she rarely attended such events and had never met this host before. She couldn’t possibly have offended him, so his attempts to trip her up during the event must have been instigated by someone else.

The host paused, then unhesitatingly revealed the culprit. “It was Sister Tang.”

Song Wan tilted her head, looking at him. “Who did you say?”

“Tang Su.” The host met Song Wan’s eyes seriously. “Somehow, Tang-jie found out I was hosting the promotional event for ‘Dream of Splendor’. She sent someone to tell me that if I managed to embarrass you, she’d give me the chance to host a major gala.”

Hua Yu was taken aback, turning to Song Wan. “A major gala? That’s quite the offer!”

Such events were highly complex, and hosts were selected with extreme rigor—mistakes weren’t allowed. Without considerable fame, it was impossible to be chosen, and most people had no way in.

“Song Wan, how did you offend Tang Su?” Hua Yu’s expression was puzzled, unable to understand. Tang Su’s offer was extravagant—just to make Song Wan look bad?

Song Wan gave a bitter laugh. “Because of my name?”

At first, Hua Yu didn’t catch on, but when she saw Song Wan’s expression, her eyes slowly widened. “Because of Song Wan? Is she insane? That person has been dead for almost a year, hasn’t she?”

Hua Yu’s composure collapsed; she couldn’t help feeling it was madness.

“I’d already forgotten about Song Wan…”

A year had passed; who would still remember an unknown bit player?

But Tang Su did—and she was relentless in her pursuit of this Song Wan, who shared the same name.

Song Wan sighed, unsure whether to feel pleased or angry.

If not for Tang Su’s relentless determination in her past life to keep her from rising, she might have become famous long ago—why wait until this life?

Yet even she hadn’t expected Tang Su would lose all reason over a mere name, acting out of character for her status.

But honestly, Tang Su had done many things out of character because of Song Wan—one more wouldn’t make a difference.

Hua Yu looked at Song Wan with a trace of pity.

She’d only met the previous Song Wan a few times, but her extraordinary acting and universally praised talent left a deep impression. Her connection with that Song Wan was minimal, but with Tang Su, it was extensive.

She could never forget how much energy and cost Tang Su had spent targeting Song Wan. Several times, Hua Yu could have advanced her career, but gave up opportunities because of Song Wan.

For those in the same tier as Tang Su, struggling desperately for advancement, the blow was enormous.

More astonishing, Tang Su’s agent allowed her to obsessively target a newcomer.

Hua Yu could see the agent was simply riding the tiger and couldn’t get off, so they kept suppressing Song Wan; but Tang Su? She treated Song Wan as a mortal enemy.

Even in Song Wan’s death, Tang Su played a role.

Everyone in this circle knew each other’s secrets.

However…

“If you’d said Tang Su could grant you a major gala hosting opportunity before, I might barely believe it,” Hua Yu frowned at the host. “But now she’s been suppressed by President Jin…” She glanced at Song Wan, her gaze odd. “Tang Su offended President Jin and is being pressured. Many of her best resources have been taken, and her status has fallen. How could she fulfill her promise to you?”

Now, everyone in the industry knew Tang Su couldn’t even land decent projects after offending President Jin.

The host was stunned, although his expression barely changed. He hedged, “Tang-jie has been in this circle for years. Even if she can’t get good resources for herself, it’s easier to arrange a good opportunity for someone like me.”

Hua Yu’s eyes flashed. She turned to Song Wan and saw her expression had grown serious.

The host’s lack of change meant he believed Tang Su’s promise was still viable, even after learning about her situation. He might have already received partial payment, so he hadn’t doubted her.

Tang Su must have found new backing.

Hua Yu frowned—this was bad news for any actress on Tang Su’s level.

Tang Su’s well-maintained, highly adaptable appearance had always given her a competitive edge.

Take the “Jinx” series Hua Yu was filming now: if Tang Su hadn’t offended Jin Youqian and wanted the role, neither Hua Yu nor Yang Qing (the actress competing with her for the lead) would have stood a chance.

She’d only enjoyed a brief period without Tang Su’s presence; how could she let Tang Su rise above her again?

Hua Yu’s eyes flickered, and she silently made a decision.

Song Wan, meanwhile, was oblivious to Hua Yu’s inner turmoil. She merely looked at the host, her expression cold. “Now that I know who was behind it, there’s no need for me to do anything to you. You may leave.”

The host’s face darkened slightly, but seeing Hua Yu ignoring him, he turned and left the makeup room.

Just then, Zhou Yaya entered with Zhou Zhou in tow. “Wan-jie, Zhou Zhou’s previous crew finished shooting. Since they’re in S City, and heard about our event here, they came over. Gao-jie and I went to pick him up.”

As she finished speaking, Gao Xiang appeared behind them.

Zhou Zhou saw Hua Yu and smiled shyly. “Hello, Yu-jie.” Then he stood beside Song Wan. “Wan-jie, are you about to remove your makeup?”

Song Wan paused, turning to Gao Xiang. “Gao-jie, why did you bring Zhou Zhou over?”

Zhou Zhou was skilled, but Song Wan’s current status didn’t warrant a dedicated makeup artist. He could only sign with the company and be assigned to various crews.

Even if his previous job was finished, surely he’d have other work.

Gao Xiang chuckled, nodding to Hua Yu before answering Song Wan. “I mentioned to Director He that you needed your own team, and he agreed.”

Song Wan was confused. “But I…”

Gao Xiang waved her hand. “I know what you’re about to say, but this was President Jin’s instruction.”

Song Wan fell silent, resigned.

She couldn’t understand Jin Youqian’s sudden interest. Before marriage, he’d barely involved himself in her work; now, he was watching everything she did, even who was around her and what kind of team other artists had.

She’d thought he was just curious—but now he was waiting for her here.

Gao Xiang didn’t think it strange. “Building a team takes time. Each member must have impeccable character and professionalism, as well as strong skills. Such people are hard to find—you can’t rush it.”

“I’ve been looking for candidates, and thought of Zhou Zhou. His skills satisfy me, and you know him well—so it made sense to transfer him to your side.”

Song Wan looked at Zhou Zhou. “Are you willing?”

She’d always felt Zhou Zhou liked working in crews and worried he only agreed because the company arranged it.

Gao Xiang rolled her eyes.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhou shook his head and smiled. “When Gao-jie asked me, I was happy. Wan-jie, I always wanted to work with you—just never had the chance before.”

Meeting his earnest gaze, Song Wan finally relaxed.